Who we are

A personal lifeline for seafarers on board ship and when they step ashore in port

Proud to be among the largest and most comprehensive international seafarers’ support charities

Founded almost 200 years ago in 1818, Sailors’ Society is a Christian charity supporting and caring for an often forgotten group of people. We are multi-denominational in terms of outlook, as are our trustees, staff and the service we provide.

We reach out to seafarers where they work – on board the huge variety of cargo and cruise ships and take them practical services like phone cards to connect with loved ones at home, the latest newsprint in many languages and access to Wi-Fi hotspots.

Present at many of the key ports around the world, our chaplains and volunteers assist hundreds of thousands of seafarers each year; extending a hand of friendship, hospitality and pastoral care to all we meet regardless of rank or circumstance.

As part of our mission, we provide a wide spectrum of support services – chaplaincy, spiritual guidance and counsel, provision of welfare support to seafarers and their families, assistance with continuing maritime education and, in dire need, financial help.

Southampton, United Kingdom

Port Chaplain

Tilbury, United Kingdom

Port Chaplain

Rebuild Projects, Philippines

On 8 November 2013 Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Visayas region of the Philippines, throwing millions of lives into chaos. Sailors’ Society’s Typhoon Haiyan Emergency Appeal raised £225,000 to help rebuild homes, lives and communities.

Crisis Response Network, South Africa

Sailors’ Society’s Durban based Crisis Response Network provides a rapid response trauma care and counselling service for survivors of piracy attacks as well as various disasters at sea, including: casualties, abandonment, ship arrest among others.

Our comprehensive network of trained port chaplains are available 24/7 throughout sub-Saharan Africa and west Africa.

Ear and Eye Testing, India

We fund free sight and hearing tests for seafarers in India.

Seafarers often struggle to leave Kandla port and so cannot easily access healthcare or other facilities. The testing equipment at the Seafarers’ Home Kandla brings healthcare to the seafarer. Regular examination can identify issues before they have the chance to develop and have a serious impact on seafarers’ health.

Crisis Response Network, Ukraine

Sailors’ Society’s Ukrainian Crisis Response Network provides a rapid response trauma care and counselling service for survivors of piracy attacks as well as other disasters at sea, including: sudden death, abandonment, ship arrest among others.

You can contact our team on our 24 hour emergency response number 00 380 503366790 or click here to email the team directly.

Disaster Risk Reduction, Bangladesh

The Society is funding 10 community spaces, acting as training and resource centres, as well as shelter, to prepare families for future disasters in Bangladesh.

Crisis Response Network, Philippines

Sailors’ Society’s Philippines based Crisis Response Network provides a rapid response trauma care and counselling service for survivors of piracy attacks as well as various disasters at sea, including: casualties, abandonment, ship arrest among others.

Our comprehensive network of trained port chaplains are available 24/7 throughout the Philippines.

You can contact our team on our 24 hour emergency response number 0063 2092 675 3164.

Seafarers' Pupils' Club, Philippines

In 2006, Iris Picardal, Sailors' Society's Family Outreach Officer created a club for seafarers' children, nephews, nieces, brothers and sisters. They meet to share social activities and increase their access to educational information. Iris currently works with a group of more than 50 children from one school.

Seafarers' Family Association, Philippines

Currently women meet regularly to have peer support activities, looking into opportunities to generate income and develop new skills to help them find employment. They will also form a Disaster Risk Response Management committee to encourage pupils, seafarers' families and their communities to adopt a resilient lifestyle that prepares them to face natural disasters effectively.

Seafarers' Integration Project, Madagascar

This project provides ex-seafarers with support to return to work within the shipping industry. If they are retired seafarers (due to their age or on medical grounds) they are supported and encouraged to use their skills and expertise to benefit the wider community.

Wives and Children of Seafarers' Project, Madagascar

Currently working with a number of families, this project supports wives and ex-seafarers to effectively manage the family finances by exploring the opportunities of generating new forms of income.

These activities will support and improve the social and education development of their children and the project delivers English lessons to more than 70 children.

Southampton Seafarers' Centre,

The centre gives seafarers docking in Southampton’s port, which handles around 14 million tonnes of cargo annually, the opportunity to access support services and free Wi-Fi.

Sailors’ Society’s Crisis Response Network provides a rapid response trauma care and counselling service for survivors of piracy attacks as well as various disasters at sea.

Sailors’ Society collect your contact details in order to keep in touch with you and to keep you informed about issues that might potentially be of interest to you. We do not share your information with any outside parties. By providing your email address and/or mobile number you are agreeing to us contacting you in these ways.